Grand opening pictures: A timeline of Orlando theme parks

CaptionCypress Gardens - 1936

CYPRESS GARDENS PUBLIC RELATIONS

A view of the the park in 1936 - This early post card shows one of the bridges across a canal as it appeared when Cypress Gardens opened January 2, 1936. Cypress Gardens opened in the Winter Haven area in 1936 and closed in 2009. Although some of the original gardens still exist, it has mostly...

A view of the the park in 1936 - This early post card shows one of the bridges across a canal as it appeared when Cypress Gardens opened January 2, 1936. Cypress Gardens opened in the Winter Haven area in 1936 and closed in 2009. Although some of the original gardens still exist, it has mostly... (CYPRESS GARDENS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

The Destination D event will go back to the opening day of Magic Kingdom -- Oct. 1, 1971 -- and beyond. This shot shows William Windsor Jr. with son Lee, 1 1/2, the theme park's first guests after sleeping in their car overnight.

The Destination D event will go back to the opening day of Magic Kingdom -- Oct. 1, 1971 -- and beyond. This shot shows William Windsor Jr. with son Lee, 1 1/2, the theme park's first guests after sleeping in their car overnight. (ORLANDO SENTINEL ARCHIVES)